Ruby and Emerald Lakes via Lime Mesa Trail, CO

This high altitude hike is known as the "backdoor" of Chicago Basin to the southern edge known as the Needle Creek Overlook offering epic views of Needle Creek, Sunshine, Windom, and the Eolus Peaks along with needles and peekaboos of many other distant peaks. This is an exploratory trip, as neither of us has been there before.

Copy/Paste the links below for further details:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lime-mesa-to-ruby-lake-and-emerald-lake
Or:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lime-mesa-to-needle-creek-overlook
Location:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Albuquerque,+NM/Lime+Mesa+Trailhead

The plan is to meet at the NW corner at the Target on Paseo del Norte/I25 at 12:00pm. Either carpool or caravan from there up to Durango for an early dinner around 4. Then head up to the Lime Mesa TH for a car camp. Those who are unable to meet Friday may meet us at the TH Saturday morning. On Saturday morning we will set out on the Lime Mesa Trail to either Ruby or Emerald Lakes to set up base camp. There will be opportunities for exploration on Saturday afternoon and/or Sunday to the Needle Creek Overlook, cruise the ridgeline, or drop into the Basin and Highland Mary Lakes (very difficult to get back up I hear). Hike out to our cars on Monday with a lunch stop in Durango before heading home.

Trip Dates: August 8th 12:00pm -August 11th Whenever
Drive Time to Trailhead: ~5 Hours from ABQ
Trip Rating: Moderate
Trail Length: 9.9 Miles RT
Elevation Gain: 2,345ft
Expected Temps: High 60's, lows in 30's
Dogs Allowed (well-behaved)
Contact Brandon or Michelle with any questions.

Please Note: Anyone attending our trips must have a signed Waiver & Release form on file with us. This waiver covers all trips and activities so you only need to sign it once. If you have not already signed this form it can be downloaded from our “Pages” section, signed and emailed to the group organizer Bob F at nmbackpacking@msn.com before you arrive for the trip. Instructions for downloading our Waiver & Release form: Scroll down to “What we’re about section”, click on “Read more”, click on “Pages” link, scroll down the page and you’ll find “Waiver & Release Form found here” (drive.google link). By attending any of our functions you are agreeing to our Waiver & Release terms.

If you RSVP "Yes" for this trip please plan on attending. Please read our RSVP Policy located in our "Pages" section.
The deadline for changing a "YES" RSVP to a "NO" RSVP is August 6th, 2025.